Chapter 285: Moving pieces [3]
Camille adjusted Hayden’s shirt and patted his chest with tenderness. "I am happy that you can attend. You work so hard that it takes you away from the family. I wish you would take my suggestion to employ someone to help with your work."
"No one can do the work as I can. They will make mistakes, and then I will need to be away from you even more. I will be home for the time being," Hayden said, kissing Camille’s forehead. "Let us enjoy that time together. I will be working from the study."
Hayden needed his time alone from the family to work and be himself.
"Would you not like me to help you? I know a little about managing finances. It is not enjoyable, but I should help you where I can," Camille offered, eager to work beside him.
"The butler and I oversee our finances. I want you to live a carefree life, so continue to enjoy yourself. Unless you think we have gone poor," Hayden said, raising his brow though he knew it wasn’t the case.
Camille laughed at the absurd idea. "There is no way we could ever be poor. Each side of the family holds wealth, and your father promised to pay me handsomely for every grandchild we give him. I know that we are well, but I hate to see only you work."
"I have been thinking," Camille said, inching closer with anticipation as she shared her idea. "What if the children and I were to join you on your trips? We would not get in your way. It would be good for them to see what you do. One day your son will have to take over."
"I would take my heir, but my work is no place for ladies. I like having you here in the safety of our home, but to make up for it, we should take a trip out of town. Do not pout," Hayden said, lifting Camille’s chin gently with his hand. "We shall have a family trip soon."
Camille forced a smile, though her heart ached with longing. "I know. It is nearing time for us to see my family. I only worry about you being alone. That is all. I do not want the children to feel as though they do not see you."
"That is why I write to them, and when they send for me, I come right away. Rather than worry about the children, I think we are both long overdue for some time alone. Would you not like to go out of town and leave the children behind?" Hayden asked, seeking intimacy.
It felt long overdue that it was just the two of them instead of a group.
"Without the children? Who would watch them?" Camille asked, though her eyes betrayed her excitement at the thought of being alone with Hayden.
"The servants will watch them, or we can send for them to be with my mother. To keep our marriage healthy, we must have our moments alone without children," Hayden said, needing a break.
"Are you following your father’s advice to have another?" Camille asked, slipping her arm around Hayden’s waist. "I have thought about it. It would please him and the others if we have one more and it is a boy."
"We have enough children, so why would we want to start anew? We should give our all to the children we have instead of having more. And think of your health," Hayden said, careful not to upset her.
"There are other ladies a little older than I who were able to have more children, but I suppose we have enough," Camille said, releasing Hayden reluctantly. "It would take plenty of our time to raise another, and the children might feel jealous."
Camille returned to her chair, her mood now ruined by their talk. "You will need to speak to your father. He wants us to have another son and said that he would reward us well if we did. I am starting to think that we are merely having children for his benefit."
"I will speak to my father to stop him from troubling you. He can speak of wanting more grandchildren because he does not live with them. I am quite tired," Hayden said, uninterested in more children. "I await the days when it will only be us again."
"There are a few more years before that happens. I remember the days when you were excited to have many children. You must see that your work is draining you," Camille pointed out, believing that was the issue.
Camille hated to think that Hayden felt overwhelmed, burdened by the weight of providing for the family while being a father at the same time.
"Times have changed, Camille. If we have too many children, we will be unable to divide our attention amongst them. While I would love to have many children with you, I think we have reached our limit since you are well. Would you not agree?" Hayden asked, starting to worry she would pressure him for another.
"I agree. I merely thought it would have been on your mind, just like your father’s. Very well," Camille said, agreeing to Hayden’s plans. "Let us send the children to your parents and take a trip. Just the two of us once the gathering has passed. Should we stay at one of our homes out of town?"
"No. I am confident that your dear nephew will have the servants spying on us. We could ask one of our peers to use their homes so we can be out of sight. I will plan it," Hayden promised, planting a quick kiss on Camille’s lips.
Camille smiled, her heart fluttering at the thought of time alone.
While she wanted to take the children to prove they were the perfect family, she was not against the time alone, for she did not want her marriage to be spoiled.
Camille watched as Hayden paced the chamber as though searching for something unseen.
’I should help him,’ Camille thought, her mind already weaving plans to ease his burdens.
She longed to take some of the responsibilities from his shoulders, so that while Hayden was busy or away from home, she could manage some of his duties.
Camille lowered her gaze to her lap, hiding the smile that threatened to reveal her secret intentions.
’They were all wrong,’ Camille thought fiercely as she looked back up at Hayden. She had chosen the perfect man to be her husband and the father of her children. ’
The thought of not having another child shattered her, but Camille could put it aside for the sake of her marriage.